Florida Gators Guard Competition

Max Garcia has the inside track on the stating left guard spot. He sat out last season due to transferring from Maryland. At Maryland, he started at left tackle, but he has the size and run blocking ability to move inside. The offensive line coaches obviously sees something in him at guard because they are willing to start him there. Garcia should be able to overpower the interior linemen, combine that with his athleticism, and he should be able to get to the second level very easily. He wont have to worry too much about pass blocking since he is on the interior, as long as he does not get overpowered, he will be fine.

Ian Silberman will be backing up Garcia at guard. Silberman saw action in eight games last season and started in three of them, Vanderbilt, South Carolina and Louisiana. He played well in the games that he started, but he has a lot of room to improve. He is a big guy and if he improved to the point where he can make use of his size, he could be a very dangerous player.

At right guard, Jon Halapio currently occupies the starting spot. Halapio may be the best offensive lineman on the entire line, he has started two straight seasons at starting right guard. He had his best games in the biggest games of the season, Texas A&M, LSU and FSU, were the three where is was notably the most dominant. He has greatly improved over every season. He has cut down on the penalties and was named a team captain. Halapio should have another solid, injury free season, to add to his career as a Gator.

Trip Thurman will likely not see much action this upcoming season because Halapio does not get injured and he is too good to get benched. Thurman only saw action in three games last season and I would not expect much more from him. He used to be the backup left tackle, but Trenton Brown took over that spot. That does not bode well for him and I expect if either starting guards go down, Silberman will take over their positions.

I am not sure about Garcia, since he is new to the guard position, but Halapio is a very good starting guard. If Garcia responds well to his new position, him and Halapio will make a good duo. Thurman is not such a great backup, but he wont see playing time unless both of the starters go out due to injury. Silberman is a good backup and I would not be too worried if one of the starters went down and he came in. Overall, I am not worried about the line at all, they will really help Driskel come along in his passing game.